How did you get started in burlesque?
I started attending burlesque shows to
support my performing friends, and I fell in love with the art form. I spent a year as a regular, dressing for the
themes, sitting in the front row, and getting to know the troupe. It wasn't long before I wanted to be part of
the show, and started brainstorming a name and an idea. When it was time to audition, I brought my
soprano ukulele, Elphaba, who I'd only been playing for two months, and a
parody I'd written as a show opener. I
was terrified, but I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone and facing my
stage fright head-on. I was hired on the spot as a variety act and a stage
kitten. That was in 2015, and I'm so glad for that moment of bravery and a
troupe that took a chance on me.
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| Photo Credit: Ron Tencati Photography |
Have you always been a performer?
Yes, it's an important outlet of
expression for me. I've done everything
from improv to music to character performance to emceeing...but, oddly enough,
no formal theater.
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| Photo Credit: Ron Tencati Photography |
Are you a self taught musician?
Ha! Depends on the instrument! While I sang in chorus and choir when I was
small, I'm a classically-trained cellist, and have been playing instrumentally
since I was 11. I came up through a
system that taught music reading and playing by ear simultaneously. Once I was comfortable on the cello, I began
picking up piano and guitar on my own.
After that was Irish whistle, lyre, a return to voice, and baritone
ukulele.
What is the best part about being on
stage?
It's the rush that makes you feel like
you’re flying. Let me sing on a stage, a
capella or with my uke, and I feel like I could soar. When I walk through the curtain, I leave my
fears, my insecurities, my worries, backstage, and I hope to help the audience
feel the same way...it's my job and my honor to help them escape, at least for
a little while.
Who is your vintage style icon?
I adore Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara,
and Rita Hayworth. Each of them had a
beautiful natural look, using bright colors and fit-and-flare dresses to draw
the eye and fresh makeup to keep it. Large waves in the hair, or an iconic
poodle, arched brows, a red lip, and soft rose cheeks...these red-haired sirens
were talented, elegant, and spirited. My copper red is because I fell in love
with Maureen in The Quiet Man, my everyday look is positively Lucy, and my evening
glamour and burlesque stage look is
decidedly Rita.
What era do you find really suits you
or that you love to emulate?
I’m a 40s and 50s gal, and I'm rarely
without a New Look Dior silhouette or touches.
There’s something to be said for the style and music of the era, and for
the overall aesthetic. It's iconic!
What are some of your favorite tips
and tricks for vintage styling?
There are so many! I'll try to keep it short and sweet.
Don't be afraid to hunt. I love the hunt for
true vintage. Know your measurements,
and bring a measuring tape with you if you're going to be browsing the clothing
racks in-store. Thrift stores and
antique malls are treasure troves of history.
My local antique mall (Sleepy Poet in Charlotte, NC! I swear I know the
entire assortment of the 40s-50s racks at one of their vendors, Kitsch-y Cool
Vintage) staff is fantastic, and they've dubbed me “The Green Lady.” They always know what I'm after. Get to know the staff, browse and shop small
and local any time you can, and don't be afraid to hunt eBay or Etsy to widen
your search!
Start Small.
Hats, gloves, purses, and jewelry are
a great and cost-effective way to get started!
I began with my mother handing down a simple pair of my
great-grandmother’s late 50s Lisner leaf earrings.
Find Your Look
For my face, I wear minimal powder and
blush and play up my eyes with thick winged liner and filling in my brows. It's unusual that I don't have a bright
lip...I think, at last count, I have a dozen different shades of red! My hair is naturally big, frizzy, and wavy,
so I use the volume to my advantage.
I'll never have sleek waves and curls...my hair just won't do it, so
big, natural-looking Rita waves it is!
Every person has a different Look,
from vibrant hair color to signature beauty marks to retro tattoos...the sky’s
the limit! What draws your eye and makes
you happy? Find it and embrace it!
What do you think really defines your
style, on stage and off?
I am a fit-and-flare kind of
girl. A well-fit top and a fluffy,
voluminous skirt make me happy, whether it's daywear or evening gowns, and
nearly always in my signature shades of green.
It's sweet, playful, feminine, flirty, and a little sassy, heavily
inspired by Gil Elvgren’s gorgeous pinup art.
Why do you think vintage styling has
gained popularity?
I think there's a sense of nostalgia
that vintage styling taps into, and there's something lovely about a vintage
silhouette on a modern woman. It's
distinct, it's memorable, and it's confident.
You can't slouch in these shapes, so you keep your shoulders back, your
head held high, and you become a more commanding presence. It works for every body shape, every height,
every build, every aesthetic. Vintage,
retro, and rockabilly culture welcomes -everyone-, which is a distinct and
positive change from the culture, society, and era from which the clothing
style comes.
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| DragonCon Burlesque Show 2016 |
What has been your best vintage find?
Just one? That's so hard! I find treasures all the time, and it's hard
to pick a favorite!
Some of the pieces I've been fortunate
enough to find in my searching are deadstock stockings, a black circle skirt
hand-painted with gold Greek columns, and an olive circle skirt with
hand-appliquéd oak leaves and acorns, all vintage 50s. I’ve also found a lovely
lime peignoir set that was one of my earliest acquisitions, and it’s a
cherished treasure.
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| Hey look! I know that blonde, it's me! |
Is there one item that you would love
to own that you haven’t found yet?
I've coveted a Lilli Ann princess coat
with fur collar...in green, of course!
Difficulty is always the price and my size. One day.
That's my unicorn.
How did you pick your signature color?
I love green so much, and my favorite
shades are apple, lime, kelly, and emerald. I started wearing more and more
green over the last several years, but that distinct lime green is absolutely
inspired by my ukulele. It's a color
that makes me smile, and it has that effect on others. It’s a love letter to the vibrancy of
Technicolor, a color that is loud and immensely playful. That's something I hope to cultivate in my
style: a visual representation of who I am, without ever having to say a word. Put that shade on a blue-eyed redhead, and
you're bound to turn heads!
What advice would you give a budding
pin up girl?
Look at the pin-ups of the era, both
the art and the Hollywood inspirations, and find the things that speak to you.
Develop a persona. Find a name that matches your stage presence
and personality. Think of it as creating
a pin-up character: Is she sultry?
Bubbly? Girl-next-door? Vixen?
And as you're finding clothing to build a wardrobe for her, find pieces
you can mix and match, find shapes and silhouettes that support your persona,
and remember that thrift stores are your friend!
This community is so supportive! Reach out, ask questions, find tutorials, and
have fun!
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| Heavy Rebel Weekender 2017 |
What is coming up next for you?
I'm applying to several pin-up
competitions and burlesque festivals this year, and I'm excited to get on the
road a bit!
